Thursday, October 30, 2008

Yesterday, I found myself neck deep in suffering. That's the lot of a minister. We're called to enter into the sufferings of others.

On any given day, I find myself facing a plethora of heartaches, struggles, and fears. Some days bring more than others. The last two days, it just seemed overwhelming.

Late yesterday afternoon, I wrote down all the different issues and sufferings that came across my path. There were so many hurting people. My heart broke for them. I carried these heavy burdens home. I dreamed about them last night. Even this morning, the heaviness was there.

In my early morning prayer, I brought all these issues to the Lord.

Then Jesus said, "You give them something to eat." (Mark 6)

"I can't possibly give these dear people what they need! I don't have enough!"

"What do you have?"

"Just a few small loaves -- just crumbs of energy and insight. Surely, not enough to meet these desperate needs!"

"Give them to me"

So, I lifted them up. I put them in the hands of Jesus. All my inabilities, all the burdens, all the sufferings, all the heartaches. I lifted them up and placed them in the hands of Jesus.

As soon as I did, an overwhelming JOY filled my soul! The Lord gave me an assurance that He loves his sheep more than I do. He knows all about it. He is present with them. He is their anchor, their strength and their song.

I don't have to carry all the burdens alone. Christ will carry them. (I Peter 5:7) My job is to stick close to the Shepherd: to pray, obey and stay out of the way.

The burden of love must never depart. It is always my responsibility to truly care for people.

This morning, however, I was reminded, that when I place it in Christ's hands, HE flows HIS love through me. Releasing, then, is not loving LESS -- but loving MORE!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I must not know what Missional Church is. I received the current Leadership Journal issue that dealt with this issue. It was all about “converts” and “church”, absent as to engagement. That isn’t to say church and converts don’t matter, it is to say we have made missional about us, and not them, about redefining church and not enlarging and engaging the Kingdom of God, a big mistake. When will we get back to disciples and society? This was what “making disciples” of “all nations” is about, raising up spiritual and loving people to touch nations with the love of God glocally! I don’t know what I am, or what we would be labeled, as a church. I just don’t think it matters. The power is in the outflow of the love of God, not in the brand or label.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

When Donna an I talked on the plane coming home (faces 11 inches apart), we were struck by how these church planters live incarnationally. Europe was their home-- and they were seeking to live sent on God's mission.

When we went to the Vatican, we did not find it to be a spiritual experience. It spoke to us, but not about faith. It spoke to us of power. It did not evoke "go and tell." Rather, it was clearly "come and see." (And, that same sentence would be true in many non-Catholic settings as well-- including a few I know all too well.) . . .

Most of us have a Constantinian model for church which, very simply, is summed up like this: building + clergy + program = churchA better equation is this: body + mission + kingdom = church. We need to be a body on mission for the Kingdom

Friday, October 24, 2008

A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, “Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you’ve done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger...If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I’d be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed.”

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Recently, we were with a church on the East Coast, and one of the leaders began sharing some of the struggles of growing a congregation in a rural environment.

"It's hard to translate some of the things that edgier churches are doing into our congregation," he confessed. "In an effort to be sensitive to the landscape of our community, I have to be careful in what elements we add to our services. I love hearing what God's doing in other churches, but being here makes me feel insulated and behind the times."

"It's got to be hard," I conceded, "But don't forget the insulation is also your protection. You're not called to be the next so-and-so church. Though these institutions offer insightful best practices and helpful techniques, at the end of the day, you are called to follow Jesus right here, right now, right in this community with these people.

"You are called to be true to your own DNA and the way God wired you. You are designed not only to reach these people, but also to live and be among them. Don't be distracted. Remember that God can do great things through those who are slow, steady and faithful."

I lost a very little wordonly the other day.It was a very nasty wordI really had not meant to say;But then, it was not really lostas from my lips it flew,my child picked it upand now he says it too.(Guy King)

I must not be held hostage by yesterday’s pain. If my heart remains open, and my spirit is right, yesterday’s pain becomes today’s gain. I will grow into a better person through the sufferings.

Today is a brand new day – and it needs to stand on it’s own.

I will not allow myself to be seduced by yesterday’s success, nor frustrated by yesterday’s failures. I shall fulfill my duty this day, and never look backwards for an excuse.

Today is a brand new day – and it’s the only one I have.

I refuse to let tomorrow’s concerns steal today’s joy. If tomorrow is going to be bad – why should it destroy the day I have? That would mean two bad days instead of just one. I want to make the best of what has been given to me.

Today is a brand new day – a gift from God for the investment of life. It is not to be squandered by worry or regret.

Consider the moments. Moments are the stuff life is made of. They march by us briskly in an unceasing parade. We can join in the march – or slump sullenly on the sidewalk, wondering why nobody throws candy anymore.

Today is a brand new day – each sunrise serves to remind us of resurrection power.

No problems, burdens, or concerns are greater than the God who holds this day in his hands. Each day breathes new life to broken dreams, shattered hopes, and rending disappointments. Somehow, situations always look better in the morning.

Today is a brand new day – so I’m going to go out and live it.

“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Seems to me, ministers of the Gospel ought to be allowed to pray in the name of Jesus whenever they are asked to call upon Him.

As the Virginia Constitution states: "All men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience, and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice CHRISTIAN forbearance, love, and charity towards each other."“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionist; but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!”-- Patrick Henry (Founding Father)

My friend, Naomi Cochran, poet laureate of the northwoods, wrote the following piece recently about how her mother taught her to read by following the words in the hymnal at the old Lutheran Church in Phipps, Wisconsin.The words were flowers on my tongue,God's holy language becoming mine;Arranged in sweet bouquets, and sungAs death and life and love entwined.Her fingers slowly traced each pathWhere I, her child, would gladly go.The mysteries of love and wrathRevealed in song, so long ago.

The ceaseless praise, the stain of sin,Forgiveness, grace, eternity--Such tangled words, made smooth through hymnsSafe in my heart, God's treasury.

It's the story of a privileged Literature Major, Lauren Durough, who takes a part time job transcribing the 400 year old journal of a young lady (Mercy Hayworth) who lived in Salem, MA during the witch trials.

As she works through the journal she discovers a growing affinity with Mercy, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, facing various issues of life, love, self-absorption, judgment, and preconceptions.

It was a great read that kept me up late last night -- I had to keep on going to find out what happened next!! This morning, as I reflect on it, I realize The Shape of Mercy helped me to see a couple of blind spots in my own life. I guess it could have been morning reading after all!

The Left mocks the Right. The Right knows it's right. Two ugly traits. How far should we go to try to understand each other's point of view? Maybe the distance grace covered on the cross is a clue.-- Bono

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A great thought by my blogger buddy, Chuck Warnock on launching new efforts in a congregation.

A spear has a sharp point, not a broad blade. Most of the time in churches we think we need a broad blade — lots of people involved in every ministry we start. But, when you really think about it, new ministries mostly are “spear-shaped.” The leading edge of the spear is sharp, pointed, and thin.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The recent financial crisis on Wall Street has caused more than its share of alarm. In fact, recent polls have shown that over 80 percent of Americans are experiencing tremendous anxiety concerning our economy. It’s hard not to worry when your investments go down the tube. This has certainly been a stressful season.

Just last week, however, a sales clerk gave me a dollar in change. I happened to notice the little inspiring message on the back: “In God We Trust.” Did you realize that your money is a faith statement? There it is in plain sight. In God we trust! Using money is like passing out little gospel pamphlets:

In God We Trust!In God We Trust!In God We Trust!Your wallet’s full of ‘em!

Buy a Dilly Bar at Dairy Queen, and you’re telling the clerk to trust the Lord!

How ironic! We have such a hard time trusting God with our money, when all along our money is telling us that’s exactly what we should do!

It is far better to trust in God than in possessions. Jesus said you cannot serve both God and mammon. If we look to money for security, significance and survival, we will be sadly disappointed.

Why do we believe money buys happiness? It doesn’t.

If we don’t have enough money, we’re afraid we won’t survive. That’s simply not true. We will survive somehow – regardless of the financial situation. I don’t know anybody who stopped surviving because they didn’t have enough money.

In the poorest places I’ve been in my life (Nicaragua, Egypt and Ethiopia ) people still figure out a way to survive. So, it proves to me that the recent downturn on Wall Street isn’t going to do us in.

We might have to cut back a little – but we’re going to survive just fine! We may have to make adjustments, but we’ll make it!My father had a sign hanging in his office: “The Lord Never Panics.” We should take our money at face value and trust in God! If we do so, we won’t cave in to panic.

Instead of tossing and turning in bed, give your problems to God. He will be up all night anyway!

You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame.- William Booth

Monday, October 13, 2008

Was deeply moved this past week by two powerful little books --How to Pray by R. A. TorreyThe Revival We Need by Oswald Smith

They reveal the leanness in my own soul -- and kindle a strong desire to pray deeper and love God more fully.

Our people have been praying around the clock, now, for three weeks. Yesterday morning, we saw fruit for the labor. At the end of the services, several came forward to pray concerning spiritual needs. There was a glorious outpouring of the Lord's presence, as we sought Him together. Significant victories were gained! Transformation! Praise the Lord!

Last Wednesday night, I saw the fulfillment of Joel 2 -- "our songs and your daughters shall prophesy." Two young ladies from our congregation, Saskia and Meghan, organized a prayer event at the high school football field.

The bleachers were full of young people singing praises to the Lord. Then, a half dozen or so young people stood before the crowd and shared testimonies of God's redeeming grace. Finally, they invited to students to come and pray. The young people poured out onto the football field, and gathered in small circles to pray for one another. It was moving! Poweful!!

I know of at least one young man who came to the meeting an unbeliever and left as a follower of Christ!

Thursday night, we held our board meeting. Instead of doing "business as usual", we commited the time to prayer. The church board prayed for nearly two hours. There was a beautiful sweetness of the Lord's presence in the room. We were all blessed to overflowing!

Then, we made a few decisions in fifteen minutes. Usually, we pray for two minutes and then hash over the decsions for two hours.

Same amount of time spent -- and we left with a joyful blessing rather than a headache!

So -- what does "mean" mean? Webster's Dictionary gives a glimpse beyond the obvious:* To Intend* To Express* To Have Good Intentions* To Have a Degree of Importance* Poor* Shabby* Petty* Stingy* Nasty* Bad Tempered* Halfway Between

Saturday, October 11, 2008

"What in the world am I doing here in Ethiopia?" I wondered, as I rode in the jeep with missionary doctor, Dr. Harold Adolph.

Our motor vehicle was the only one in sight. Slowly, we navigated our way through a sea of pedestrians, ox carts, and chickens, down the dirt road into in the village of Soddo. It was just as if I had been plucked from the northwoods and dropped into a National Geographic documentary on Africa.

Arriving at the clinic, we got emerged from the jeep, and were immediately met with hundreds of needy people seeking medical attention. Most had been waiting for hours to see the doctor. Many would have to wait much longer. I saw a grieving mother, holding a lifeless infant in her arms. She looked at me with pleading eyes. I looked away.

The immensity of poverty and human suffering was absolutely overwhelming. Never, in all my life, had I witnessed such need, and felt so powerless to do anything about it.

A grotesque begger approached me. One eye and most of his teeth were missing. The horrible stench was almost unbearable. He reached a gnarled, upturned hand towards me. I looked away and pretended he wasn't there.

Dr. Adolph, observing our interaction, came up beside me. He smiled, reached in his pocket and gave the poor man a few coins. Then, with a caring touch, he spoke a few kind words of blessing. The beggar beamed, as if he had just been touched by Jesus.

Maybe that's what happened. Maybe I witnessed a miracle.

Later, back in the jeep, I questioned Dr. Adolph. "How do you do it? How can you find the strength to deal with this every day?"

He answered, "I just try to remember what our Lord said, 'When you've done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me'."

And that day, I learned the difference between pity and compassion. Pity emphasizes the distance between people. Compassion, on the other hand, is a bridge of blessing that brings us all together.

Pastor Mark,This Sunday please spend a few minutes addressing the financial disaster that some families have faced the past 2 weeks.......Please remind them:1) Jesus knows just where they are at.2) Jesus will meet all their needs.3) This world is only temporary, the kingdom is eternal.

The heaven of heavens is love. There is nothing higher in religion; there is , in effect, nothing else.If you look for anything more than love, you are looking wide of the mark. You are getting out of the royal way. When you are asking others, "Have you received this or that blessing?", if you mean anything but more love, you mean wrong. You are leading them out of the way and putting them upon a false scent.

Settle it, then, in your heart, that from the moment God has saved you from all sin, you are to aim at nothing more, but more of that love described in the thirteenth of the Corinthians.

You can go no higher than this, till you are carried into Abraham's bosom.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

I am delighted to see the deepened commitment to prayer among the people of Hayward Wesleyan Church. We are taking prayer seriously -- and we've seen some amazing results!

Still, here's something important to remember (I found this in the writings of Samuel Chadwick): Prayer doesn't bring revival (renewal.) Yes, it's true -- prayer does not bring revival.

Now, prayer is very important. In fact, it the most important activity on the face of this earth. Every great spiritual renewal movement began with prayer -- but let me repeat -- prayer, by itself does not bring revival.

If prayer alone brought renewal, then the Pharisees would have been the greatest renewal leaders in history -- they prayed a lot. However, their prayers were mostly perfunctory.

The secret is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then they shall hear from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land."

So, there we have it -- some important things that need to go along with our praying if we are to experience significant spiritual breakthrough.1) Humility (Realizing our utter dependence upon our Savior)2) Seeking the Face of God -- His Lordship -- saying "yes" to His will.3) Turning from Wicked Ways -- to renounce sin (not just DE-nounce it, but Re-nounce it -- turn away from it!)

Seek God in humble obedience. turn from sin and then look out! Big change is on the way! The Lord wants to do something wonderful in your life!

Our generation is rapidly losing its grip upon the supernatural; and as a consequence, the pulpit is dropping rapidly to the level of the platform. And this decline is due, we believe, more than anything else, to an ignoring of the Holy Spirit as the supreme inspirer of preaching.-- Dr. A. J. Gordon

Monday, October 06, 2008

In honor of my 47th Birthday last week, I decided to read a little volume entitled, For Young Men Only. Now, I realize that's a stretch -- but after attending the funeral visitation of a dear 104 year old woman yesterday, I realized that compared to her, "young" still applies to me!!

Actually, I was previewing the book before handing it off to my teenage sons. For Young Men Only, written by Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice (with Shaunti Feldhan), is a delightful guide for young guys who are trying to navigate the comlex and confusing relationship between the sexes.

Feldhan and Rice report on insights gained by interviewing young women about their perspectives and wishes concerning male/fenmale relationships. The results are surprising.

For Young Men Only tackles such issues as:* what she is looking for in a guy* why girls sometimes fall for "bad guys"* how to have a meaningful converation with a girl* why girls go from "in love" to "get lost" so fast* what it really means to "score" (It's not what you think.)

My cup is running over!! Yesterday, I had a wonderful phone conversation with Dr. Wesley Duewel, author of Ablaze for God.

This precious 92 year old saint invested almost an hour with me. He shared some of his powerful poems. We discussed the need for revival and spiritual renewal in our land -- and then, I was blessed to have him pray for me and our church.

He is planning to travel to Hayward and speak for us on November 9. I know God is going to give him something special to share with us. Wow and Amen!!

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Hayward Wesleyan Church is literally praying around the clock during our Ablaze for God series! There are 168 hours in a week -- people have signed up for every hour -- except two on Saturday (1 and 4 pm) -- and we'll get those filled too! Just think -- at every hour of every day, someone is on prayer watch. Someone is lifting up our families, church, community, nation and world. Wow!!

The 24 -7 prayer will continue through the month of October! I am so happy to see my people rising up to the prayer challenge.

You can't go wrong by praying!! Things happen when people pray.

Psalm 16:8 says, "I have se the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

I was at O'Hare Airport in Chicago about a week ago, in a jet preparing for takeoff. As we taxied down the runway, I read these words in Knocked Down but not Out by Billy Joe Daugherty:

Praise is what gets you airborne. A lot of people are taxiing up and down the runway saying, "I'm a hopin' and a prayin'. You all pray with me." Get off the runway and get into praise: :Lord, I praise you. I thank you that you have redeemed me. You are going to make a way for me where there seems to be no way!" Suddenly, you are airborne and you are on your way!I nudged the guy sitting next to me -- "Look at this! Look at this! Isn't that something!! We're taxiing down the runway and I'm reading this! Praise gets you airborne!"

Just as I was saying "praise gets you airborne" the jet lifted into the air.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

My friend, Lola, gave my family a container of wild rice that had been harvested by her late husband, Russell.

I tried to cook it -- but the results weren't very satisfactory.

I called Lola to ask her advice. She replied, "Wild rice -- boil thrice! For it to taste right, you need to bring it to a boil three times."

Aha! That's the way it is with problem solving too. Difficult decisions are like wild rice. Usually, the first boiling is not enough for a satisfactory solution. We need to go back and mull over it some more -- boil it a couple more times -- and then, we'll have something!

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